Hopefully I still have readers. Awful sorry about that guys. I had a dry spell among other things. Sigh. So let me get right into it. Will post another chapter later to make up to you guys. Much love
Disclaimer: Don't own BD
Chapter 35 – Waterfalls Part 2
Caesar's POV
I stared blankly at the TV at the hotel. Duey was outing everyone over at Renegade Records. Talking about how dirty business transactions were and how some artists on the label didn't get their rightful share of royalties, Nicole was include, and how he contracted AIDS from Cairo. He also told stories of their dirty escapades, some I'd like to conveniently forget. I turned the TV off soon after, it just got depressing when he began to cry. I rubbed my temples and shook my head. These people don't know what these artists do behind closed doors, what they believe or how they conduct themselves.
There is no doubt sex is a driving force in this business, you got to know people if you want to truly get your foot in the door without selling everything but the dirt beneath you. When I got in…I did it for the love of music, pure and simple. As a child…I could not see a life without my microphone. Make music or die was my mentality for so long, it felt like a personal religion to me. Music was in Riley and I blood, it had to happen. Sure, Riley would mess off like your usual rapper but he was always genuine with his love of making music as I was. There were so many stories of undercover homosexuality going on, it almost scared me away from this shit. There's even things me and Riley knows about other rappers, and not even including Renegade, but it's none of our business, we don't fool with it.
As far as Nicole goes, I don't really know what her drive was…but safe to say it did not go according to plan. No bad deed goes unpunished I suppose. I wonder how Sirayah handling this news. Tonya was about to pop soon, so I doubt Riley's truly focusing on this fuck shit at the moment. And Cindy told me what happened to her; got damn, telling me Tom possibly killed Sarah, people going mad everywhere across the states. This fame shit yo, sometimes…shit just ain't worth it.
...
Tom's POV
"Holy fuck, I gave you one simple job." I sneered into the phone.
"I'm sorry, she struggled." The man on the other end whispered.
"So? I told you take care of it. Not make it so fucking obvious. They're on my ass now. Her parents notified they have not seen Sarah."
"What? Thought you squared them away?"
"After I'm off the phone with you, I will tend to that. About your payment…it will have to be on freeze for now. Until I figure this out, you're not receiving a single red cent from me."
"Now hold on there, Thomas. Fucking with my money is like fucking around with my emotions. If I'm going to hell, rests assure I'll have no qualms taking you down with me." I gritted my teeth.
"I will call you back." I hung the phone up, not really caring about his hollow threats. I called Sarah's father, Michael.
"I was wondering when you'd call." He answered.
"I got a call from the HQ this morning. You backed out of the deal."
"And what deal was that?"
"For 500,000, you were to tell the police Sarah was in Texas."
"That's quite a low deal coming from a ritzy lawyer like yourself Mr. Du'bois."
"Why." It was stated more than asked.
"Look, we disowned Sarah when she told us she'd be marrying you boy. Didn't hear a peep from her for years, but we weren't looking for her either. Now, here you come flashing us your money like we owe you a favor for rubbing that scuff out of our Bloomberg name. Both of you deserve a special place in hell."
He's the second person to try to scare me with Hell today, like I didn't experience it enough on Earth.
"And the parents who could care less their precious daughter is in pieces somewhere deserve front row seats in Heaven? You'll be seeing Satan right along with me BOY." I hung up the phone, and as soon as I did I heard a pounding at my hotel room door. Standing up I quietly jumped out the back window, not before long hearing the cops burst in.
If I am to be dragged to hell, better catch me first.
...
Hiro's POV
I stared out the window in my room. I will be free in a mere month, but I don't even know where to begin to do with that second chance at my freedom. I destroyed so much and in so little time. I have a burned down club, a son, and no income what's so ever to provide for him. I broke down and told the cops and as well as my insurers the truth about what had happened. Since drugs were involved, the insurance company wouldn't cover the damages of the seared club…obviously. I already knew Jazmine had my club burned down, but I didn't tell them that. It was partially my fault too. I should've kicked her out when she came around with that mess. I shouldn't have borrowed money from her just to piss it all away. I took so much, and I came out with nothing in the end. Now I don't have any way to pay her back and before I was sent in I was receiving threatening calls from some fucker. I have a kid…I can't be doing this shit anymore. I'm clean for real this time…I have to be, for Akira.
I've been so disconnected from the real world for so long, I feel like I'll be walking on egg shells just to try to save my reputation and getting back to normal. Try to save my marriage, try to save my club, all I can do from here is to try. To give up…would kill me. It would kill my body and soul to call it quits now. If I wanted it, I know I have to fight for it. Feeling hungry, I walked out my room and into the mess hall. Some of the other recovered addicts were talking up a storm.
"When I called my cousin, she told me! It was on the news!" A woman shouted. I arched an eyebrow, were they talking about me? Not sounding narcissistic but even drugged up people look down on others. They called me stupid for what I did, they were right but…something about hearing that from a cocaine addict driven to prostitution really…made me somber.
"I knew they were all fags." The other woman jeered. I wanted to know what the hell they were talking about. I walked towards Jerome, a recovering heroin addict. He turned to drugs after his fiancée of 2 years was brutally murdered and raped just outside her job in the parking lot when she got off, and it turned out to be her ex-boyfriend who had did it. He was a heavy user for 5 years after that…and when he OD'd…he said he cried to God for a change and to be healed. He and I bonded over our tastes in music and I promised him when I got my shit back…he'd work at the rebuilt club.
"What are they talking about?"
"Renegade got AIDS." He said.
"….What?"
"Renegade got AIDS. One of their peter puffers caught him cheating on him with one of the artists and he said a week later he felt sick as hell and he went to get tested and boom. AIDS."
"….WHAT?" I screamed again. "Who?" I asked incredulously. Wasn't Renegade those folks Riley was beefing with sometime ago? That uh…Cairo dude? They CAN'T mean the same label!
"You know Cairo right? Yeah, he was the infected one. Spreading all that shit. I heard Nikki Cole got it too. That shit too tragic. She was a bad bitch." He shook his head.
Nikki Cole?! That's Sirayah's cousin wasn't it? No! None of this could be right! What the fuck, I was cooped up in here THAT long? I gave him dap.
"I got to go call my lady. I'll see you later."
"Aight, stay away from AIDS bruh…that's that SHIT." He said with eyes wide. I nodded and went back to my room. Snatching the phone off the hook I dialed Haruna.
"Hello?" she asked surprised to hear from me.
"Hey. Look, just for once…let's have a normal conversation." I said.
"Okay…well…Akira peed in my face last night when I changed his diaper."
"…That is not the way to start a normal conversation."
"Got you less tense didn't it?" I smiled as she became more relaxed as well and laughed.
"True so….I guess I'm allowed to ask."
"Ask what?"
"What the FUCK is going on with all of you?" Haruna did a loud and hard sigh.
"Baby….a lot has happened. Sit back love, and let me run it all by you."
"Tell me, because I heard-" she cut me off.
"Yes. It's true, I already know what it was you heard. And that's not even all of it."
"What else?"
"A warrant has been officially issued for Tom's arrest. He killed Sarah."
"….WHAT THE HELL?" I yelled. Haruna started giving me the grim details of what was happening in my absence.
See? This shit is why I'm scared to get back out.
...
Jazmine's POV
I couldn't help but laugh. All I had left in me was a crazed laughter. Cairo was outed as a gay with AIDS and the state of Maryland put out a local warrant of arrest for my father. They said he killed my mom. The only soul on this planet who still gave a damn about me, the person I adored most in my wretched life. I laughed as tears fell. I knew she was gone all this time; I just refused to accept it. Why? Why'd you take her from me you evil fucker? WHY? I fell to the floor, crying my eyes out. I gripped the sides of my head, wishing she'd just hold me. My sobs fell on deaf ears, like they usually do. Did she get taken because how evil I was? I'm not perfect, no one is, so why she had to leave? I had no one now. Nikoali was all but a memory now, big time rock star now doesn't have time to deal with a perfect mess like me. I hate them all. I just want my mom. I hope they catch him. Son of bitch needed to be put under the prison!
Thomas Delano Du'bois made me sick to my stomach. When I was young, he was such a swiveling spine. Everyone and their dog would run over him. He was so shaky, he would rather send my naïve self out to work for that fat ass bastard Wuncler than to protect me and actually read what the fuck I was signing. I could write my E's backwards if I wanted it to damn it! When I showed it to mom, she thought it was fantastic. Everything I did made her proud. Oooo I hate him. What I hate most about him is that I turned out to be so much like him. Ugh! Why did I fuck up things so much? How did I even do that? This wasn't the woman I dreamed of becoming. I turned out to be a nightmare within myself. I sent my own self to complete oblivion. I snorted as I picked my sorry self off the floor. It could be worse; I could have AIDS like the rest of those fools. Sympathy doesn't live where it's never been had. Dragging the circle on my phone, I stared at the screen. I'm tired. Most of the time I ran on anger, bitterness and hatred, and I'm done with it if. Fuck it. Fuck Hiro and fuck the money at this point. Nothing can fill this gaping hole in this rotted out heart of mine.
'Butch, fuck it.'
'What you mean?'
'Don't go after him. Fuck em' it was enough he lost his club. I'm fine with that.'
'You sure Jazz?'
'….Yeah. Fuck it. I'll still pay you though. It isn't a thing.'
'Well…okay. Thanks for killing the fun.'
'You could always go beat up Riley or something.'
'Hehehe, that was fun, but nah, I got bigger fish to fry than him. See ya later.'
I ran into Butch Magnus at one of my concerts. He lost a ton of weight and was walking around like an even crazier Eminem…if it was even possible. I rested my head on my pillow. I'm so done….with everything. My father will shot to shit in prison.
I won't suffer the same fate. I refuse. Besides…Hollywould's too good for jail.
...
Granddad's POV
"I'm telling you Cookie. People losing they damn mind!" I said to her. She called after hearing the ratchet ass news. Everyone was talking about it now. First, nigga get on TV talking about he got AIDS, now I saw on the local news Tom fled the cops this afternoon.
"Robert, are you sure I don't have to fly over there and stay with you?"
"C'mon on over, shit. I may need a human shield."
"….That's fucked up!" she hung the phone up in my face. Huey rubbed off on me, I bet that mean nigga would say that himself. My phone rang and it was her again.
"Welcome back." I laughed.
"You're such an ass." She tsk'd. "Anyway, I was going to ask you, how Sirayah doing? She talk to her cousin?"
"Not that I know of, I haven't heard from anyone today. But I'm sure the news hit her pretty hard."
"That's just a crying shame Robert! So many of those people has to get tested if they recently fooled around with Cairo. I can't believe he'd be that reckless. These celebrities ain't God, they are not immortals." She ranted. She said more, but after that I tuned her out.
"Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah! Woop, woop woop woop."
"Yeah." I said as I was looking for something to watch.
"Robert I asked you when would want me to come over. Morning or Afternoon?"
"Take a red eye." I said. "I'll be up in the morning."
"Okay. I'll be there in two days."
"Alright, bye."
"Bye dumbass."
I finally settled on Sanford and Son and felt myself dozing off.
...
Tonya's POV
I stared in relief at the results. Neither I nor my daughter was infected. I only had sex with Cairo twice, and that was around she was conceived…so obviously he got it after I was done with him. Thank goodness. I rubbed my stomach. I need to take the time out to count my blessings…mhpm…I'm the wrong bitch to sit around and talk blessings. Ivy was probably Cairo's kid before it was Riley's…and it's not like Riley gave life willingly even if she was his. Everyone out here is foul though, not me. Jazmine cheated on Huey, Sirayah left her cousin out in the dirt, and yes she did, if you thought about it. She could've handled that better, and Hiro messed off and got his club burnt up. We all fucked up in some sort, it's just how it's perceived. Through all the shit I done…someone saw fit to keep my daughter safe.
I know how I be, but I'd never would want a child to suffer for my own sins. If I don't love anything else, I'll love this daughter of mine. Fuck the haters, they don't need to like me, they don't need to understand me, I'm getting the grind in for my daughter, not just me anymore. I did my fair share of dirt to get where I was. I know what I did to Riley, hell I ain't innocent, never said I was. But Ivy is…and I'd take a bullet in the chest for her.
So…what now after I've been spared? Do the right thing? It is the act of kindness and consideration that did not have to be bestowed on me, so I must pass it to another? I smirked as I nodded slowly. Karma will get me one day, but as seems as though she's sleep for the night. I called Riley.
"Yeah." He answered plainly.
"Riley." I gripped the phone. Despite how this is ending…a small consolation to myself…I really did like him.
"What?"
"I have something to tell you. It involves the baby." I gained the volume back in my voice. No, I did not have to be spared…Lord knows I didn't after all the venom I've spread in my life.
So I'm sparing someone who deserves to be.
...
Huey's POV
I was dead asleep when I heard Riley scream at the top of his lungs. Grabbing the katana I kept close to my bed I ran out in the living room. I found him jumping up and down and yelling incoherent shit…but it looked like he was screaming happy incoherent babble.
"Nigga what the fuck? I-" he jumped on me, hugging me so tight, I dropped my sword.
"PRAISE JESUS." He finally yelled in English.
"Get the hell off of me!" I struggled, he had me in a tight bear hug…I would've been impressed if half his face wasn't buried in my chest. He just hugged me tighter.
"Huey! I got a chance!" he wailed. I arched an eyebrow.
"Speak English Riley; you woke me up so you better have a good reason for it!" I blinked.
"And why are you even here? Why did I give you a key?" I asked. He finally let me go and stepped back and threw his arms straight up in the air.
"IT'S A CHANCE THE KIDS NOT MINE!"
"What?" My eyes widened. Riley told me how after Tonya rushed to get her and the baby tested…in a sense of clarity, she came clean. I was shocked. Damn, didn't know she had it in her. He also said that Cairo could be the father and that she slept with him before she was with him and before he was infected.
I couldn't believe it. I blinked in shock. Riley was ecstatic on the other hand. This dead weight has been slightly lifted. Yes, the chance is still there, but it's but cut down to fifty, and you know what? That's better than a hundred. Seems like I've been hearing bad shit all day…and a single string of silver appeared in the cloud. Well, I could see this making the silver a little thicker, considering Hiro is recovered and will be released next month…it's good to get some good news after all that's happened.
"I'm happy for you." I smiled lightly. I meant it. It was eating him up from the inside; he was on edge as Tonya's stomach got bigger. He wasn't ready to be a father and the way it happened still left scars on him. He vowed to never drink again after that, but he's still Riley, he won't give up his weed for anything.
"Hot damn! I want to celebrate!" he rubbed his hands together. I walked up to him and gave him a mischievous grin.
"Wal-Mart? Me pushing you around in the aisles?" Riley eyes glistened.
"…FUCK YEAH!"
I did that once for him when we still lived in Chicago. I was seven and granddad took us along for the ride. I got my ass whooped that night, but hey…boys will be boys. Riley was laughing as I we headed out the door.
"Two grown ass men playing in Wal-Mart." He grabbed his sides laughing. "I'm recording this."
"Never again. This is strictly for sentimental reasons." I said firmly.
"Aw quit acting like you won't enjoy being a kid again…well…for the first time."
"Shut your dumbass up." I closed the door behind us. We had fun that night. We really did, especially when Riley crashed me into the board games when he lost control of the cart when he forced me to be the one driven around in the cart. He hasn't laughed that hard in forever.
Neither have I. I bought him his favorite Cookie Dough ice cream and went home and whipped up some turkey burgers for us. It was 3:30 am, but we didn't care. We were watching some random Dragon Ball Z episode when Riley spoke after finishing off his burger.
"So Nicole's in town huh?" I nodded.
"Sirayah's over her house. She went there right after she got off work…haven't heard from her since…she's clearly being at her side right now."
I gave both of them some space, no matter what all had happened between them, I know Sirayah was devastated over the news. I'll hear from her when I hear from her. I sighed; don't even get me started on Tom. They haven't found him yet, but I hope they do. I hate to admit it but…this makes me wonder how Jazmine's taking all of this. Certainly not well I know for sure. Riley shook his head.
"That's still so fucked up." He said.
"Which one? Tom or Nicole?"
"Both. But I knew Tom went crazy on her ass."
"Yep, you told me. Oh, Aunt Cookie's coming to town."
"Oh! When?" Riley asked excitedly.
"Friday."
"Yes! She better cook her pizza while she down here. I'll pay for the ingredients shit."
"I want her to fix my veggie burger." I mused.
"Yo Huey, I've been wanting to ask you this for years, what's your beef with red meat?"
"It's not healthy for you."
"But it has proteins!"
"Damn….you know what those are?"
"….."
"I joke. I know you a smart nigga."
"…That offended me even more."
Had to end it on some positive note...sheesh r&r